Greg Oden found to be 48 Years Old

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 12:30 am

Winnow wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Future MVP Dirk Nowitzki just came off a 31 pt, 11 reb , 8 assist night
Amare tonight: 43 pts, 16 rbs, 6 assists, 3 blks

Kind of embarrassing for your MVP candidate to be scoring and rebounding so much lower than our #2 guy! He did get 2 more assists!

43-13 Win Streak @ 4

Yeah he had a monster night, against the Atlanta Hawks.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 2:10 am

Cartalas wrote:
Winnow wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Future MVP Dirk Nowitzki just came off a 31 pt, 11 reb , 8 assist night
Amare tonight: 43 pts, 16 rbs, 6 assists, 3 blks

Kind of embarrassing for your MVP candidate to be scoring and rebounding so much lower than our #2 guy! He did get 2 more assists!

43-13 Win Streak @ 4
Yeah he had a monster night, against the Atlanta Hawks.

Well, the Mavs get to play Atlanta tomorrow in Dallas. I expect 50 out of Dirk! Especially after the Suns tired the Hawks out running them up and down the court all night.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 1:10 pm

Hmmmm who would I rather have?

Dirk 25.5 ppg, 9.5 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assist per game or would I rather have Amare Hobblemire 20.6 ppg, 9.6 Rbg and 0.9 Apg?

Post by **Sylvus** » February 26, 2007, 1:21 pm

I'd rather have Rasheed Wallace* and his 12.4 PPG, 8.10 RPG and 1.8 APG.

Oh yeah, I forgot he's also got

*or Chauncey, Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince. And C Webb will get his this year

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 1:29 pm

Sylvus wrote:I'd rather have Rasheed Wallace* and his 12.4 PPG, 8.10 RPG and 1.8 APG.

Oh yeah, I forgot he's also got

*or Chauncey, Rip Hamilton or Tayshaun Prince. And C Webb will get his this year

Is Detroit still in the NBA?

Post by **Sylvus** » February 26, 2007, 1:41 pm

Yep, leading the East and 1-0 vs. your precious Mavs this season. In Dallas. Bitch!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 1:47 pm

Cartalas wrote:Hmmmm who would I rather have?

Dirk 25.5 ppg, 9.5 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assist per game or would I rather have Amare Hobblemire 20.6 ppg, 9.6 Rbg and 0.9 Apg?

Check Amare's last 20 games or so. He took awhile to work out the kinks of his double knee surgeries early in the season, but he's dominating now.

Amare's February averages:

pts 28.8
rbs 12.6
assists 2.1
FT: .853 %
FG: .566 (actually lowest it's been all season and still high)
Minutes per game:

Dirk's February averages:

pts 27.6
rbs 9.4
assists 5.0
FT: .920 %
FG: .535

Amare is averaging more blocks but not by much.

Plus Amare has more entertainment value for his dunks!

Dirk's a great player but it looks like Amare's back.

BTW, Phoenix needs to beat Indiana and some other slacker East team to be the first NBA team ever to sweep their non conference road schedule in a season....I know it's just the East, but still impressive.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 2:11 pm

Sylvus wrote:Yep, leading the East and 1-0 vs. your precious Mavs this season. In Dallas. Bitch!

That would be good for what umm 6th in the west? But I will give Detroit credit Webber was the #1 pick up of the year.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 2:12 pm

Winnow wrote:
Cartalas wrote:Hmmmm who would I rather have?

Dirk 25.5 ppg, 9.5 rebounds per game, and 3.6 assist per game or would I rather have Amare Hobblemire 20.6 ppg, 9.6 Rbg and 0.9 Apg?

Check Amare's last 20 games or so. He took awhile to work out the kinks of his double knee surgeries early in the season, but he's dominating now.

Amare's February averages:

pts 28.8
rbs 12.6
assists 2.1
FT: .853 %
FG: .566 (actually lowest it's been all season and still high)
Minutes per game:

Dirk's February averages:

pts 27.6
rbs 9.4
assists 5.0
FT: .920 %
FG: .535

Amare is averaging more blocks but not by much.

Plus Amare has more entertainment value for his dunks!

Dirk's a great player but it looks like Amare's back.

BTW, Phoenix needs to beat Indiana and some other slacker East team to be the first NBA team ever to sweep their non conference road schedule in a season....I know it's just the East, but still impressive.

When the NBA season is 20 games ill come back and look at this.

miir · Post by **miir** » February 26, 2007, 5:12 pm

Cartalas wrote:
Sylvus wrote:Yep, leading the East and 1-0 vs. your precious Mavs this season. In Dallas. Bitch!

That would be good for what umm 6th in the west?

Do they give teams with the best regular season record any sort of award, trophy or even rings?

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 5:20 pm

The Arizona Republic
Feb. 26, 2007 12:00 AM

ATLANTA - Suns center Amaré Stoudemire spent some of his childhood in Atlanta and has family here, but that could not account for all the crowd reaction when Stoudemire filled the lane in the third quarter, caught teammate Steve Nash's perfect feed in stride and left Hawks forward Solomon Jones in no-man's land while dunking over Josh Smith, who never looked so helpless.

It was as impressive as any play during Stoudemire's 43-point, 16-rebound game Sunday. But as Suns coach Mike D'Antoni noted after the 115-106 victory, Stoudemire is becoming a well-rounded player.

Stoudemire set a season high for assists with six, topping the five he had in the previous game against Atlanta. He defended better, picking up only three fouls after receiving five in the previous two games.

"No matter how impressive his inside presence is and his finishing, I'm still impressed with his teamwork and willingness to try to learn the game and how he fits in with this group," Nash said. "We've seen all the highlight-reel plays, the talent and skill, but his willingness to improve his understanding of the game and unselfishness is the most impressive thing.

"He's just trying to make the right play. That's the last step for him, to be a MVP-type player."

Nash knows all! Amare's all around game has progressed while his amazing inside dominance remains. His 15 foot jumper is nails now. His assists are becoming highlights with some great creative passes.

Amare wasn't ball hogging at all last night. He's getting these points within the flow of the game and working hard on the glass.

He's better than before the knee surgeries but we'll wait for Sueven to confirm that.

miir · Post by **miir** » February 26, 2007, 5:21 pm

Amare's February averages:

pts 28.8
rbs 12.6
assists 2.1
FT: .853 %
FG: .566 (actually lowest it's been all season and still high)
Minutes per game:

Dirk's February averages:

pts 27.6
rbs 9.4
assists 5.0
FT: .920 %
FG: .535

Just out of curiosity, I pulled the stats for Chris Bosh in Feb.
I was surprised that he compares so well against those guys:

pts 25.8
rbs 10.3
assists 2.8
FT: .832 %
FG: .537

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 5:27 pm

Chris Bosh is an All Star. I'd expect him to be in the ballpark.

miir · Post by **miir** » February 26, 2007, 5:40 pm

Winnow wrote:Chris Bosh is an All Star. I'd expect him to be in the ballpark.

Toronto has been lot of fun to watch this season.
Having two real PGs in Ford and Calderon has made such a huge difference.
Colangelo put a great team on the court. I wasn't expecting them to be competetive for a couple years.

I'm still pissed that I couldn't get tickets for the game against the Suns... but I got decent seats for the game on the 23rd vs Denver.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 26, 2007, 5:55 pm

miir wrote:
Cartalas wrote:
Sylvus wrote:Yep, leading the East and 1-0 vs. your precious Mavs this season. In Dallas. Bitch!

That would be good for what umm 6th in the west?
Do they give teams with the best regular season record any sort of award, trophy or even rings?

Why yes they Do, they Get a Banner to hang in there Arena it Says Western Conference Champion.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 6:07 pm

2005 Phoenix Suns - Pacific Division Champions, Nash MVP
2006 Phoenix Suns - Pacific Division Champions, Nash MVP
2007 Phoenix Suns - Better be more than Pacific Division Champions! Dirk can be MVP if Suns win it all.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » February 26, 2007, 8:19 pm

Winnow wrote:He's better than before the knee surgeries but we'll wait for Sueven to confirm that.

Glad to see I'm the authority around here!

He does look damn good. He seems to be recovered physically and he's fit seamlessly into the team.

It's too bad the knee cost him a year of experience, but the experience of spending a year rehabbing may very well have helped him develop his work ethic and stave off complacency. Never know how much something means until it's taken away and all that.

Hopefully the injury was a one-time thing and he won't have to continue going under the knife every few years. It's great to have him making his presence felt again. Amare could be an all time great and it'd be fun to see it happen.

I'm rooting for the Suns to take the championship this year, since my Sixers are so pathetic. Speaking of which: They're that mystery Eastern Conference team who the Suns have to beat to finish their road sweep. Shouldn't be a problem. Philly is terrible. The only conceivable plan:

1. Tank the season
2. Get a top two lottery selection.
3. Fire Billy King
4. Fire Maurice Cheeks (optional, but encouraged)
5. Hire a competent front office
6. Draft Kevin Durant
7. Go to war with a rotation of Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Rodney Carney, Kevin Durant, Sam Dalembert, Kyle Korver, and someone useful that we get via draft, trade, or mid-level exception. Preferably a big-bodied interior player. That team could be a finals contender in two years, considering how much the East sucks.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 26, 2007, 9:27 pm

Sueven wrote:6. Draft Kevin Durant

Would you really draft Durant over Greg Oden? Even if Philly wanted Durant, if they had the top pick, I'd trade down to #2 and get like 2 future first round picks for doing so. I know the Celtics and Danny Ainge are crazy enough to give up the farm to move from 2 to 1 if they don't get the top pick.

I'm still hoping for Atlanta to end up around the 4th seed in the lotto so Phoenix gets their pick (top 3 protected). This is the last year for Atlanta to be "bad". Next year with another piece, they'll be competing in the East.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » February 26, 2007, 10:34 pm

unless we win a championship, oden's not leaving yet.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » February 26, 2007, 11:42 pm

I'm not sure if I'd rather draft Durant or Oden as a general philosophical matter. They'll both be great players, but they fill different niches. Durant would fit in better with the Sixers right now, because they already have a lot of money invested in Sam Dalembert, who could not play alongside Oden.

Who knows if Oden's leaving. He seems like he might want to stay. But it's also hard to pass up being the top pick. I'm sure even he doesn't know if he's leaving yet.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 27, 2007, 3:46 am

Zamtuk wrote:unless we win a championship, oden's not leaving yet.

I'll make you some sort of bet that he comes out even if OSU doesn't win the championship.

Can be avatar bet. Two weeks, starting on NBA draft day, I'll use an OSU avatar if Oden stays (and OSU doesn't win championshp) and you can put up an ASU Avatar if he goes (I'll provide one if you can't find one and I'll borrow Sylvus' copy of OSU's)

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 27, 2007, 10:32 am

Congratz Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks became the first team in NBA history with three winning streaks of at least 12 games in a season by beating the Atlanta Hawks 110-87 on Monday night.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 27, 2007, 12:29 pm

Cartalas wrote:Congratz Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks became the first team in NBA history with three winning streaks of at least 12 games in a season by beating the Atlanta Hawks 110-87 on Monday night.

Nice job on the win streaks.

On another note, does Josh Howard have the gimpiest ankles in the NBA? Every time I catch a Dallas highlite, he's limping off the court with an ankle injury.

The Clipper's Livingston's dislocated kneecap injury last night was nasty.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 27, 2007, 12:32 pm

Winnow wrote:
Cartalas wrote:Congratz Mavs

The Dallas Mavericks became the first team in NBA history with three winning streaks of at least 12 games in a season by beating the Atlanta Hawks 110-87 on Monday night.
Nice job on the win streaks.

On another note, does Josh Howard have the gimpiest ankles in the NBA? Every time I catch a Dallas highlite, he's limping off the court with an ankle injury.

The Clipper's Livingston's dislocated kneecap injury last night was nasty.

Not sure he might be running out of steam.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » February 27, 2007, 1:23 pm

Winnow wrote:
Zamtuk wrote:unless we win a championship, oden's not leaving yet.
I'll make you some sort of bet that he comes out even if OSU doesn't win the championship.

Can be avatar bet. Two weeks, starting on NBA draft day, I'll use an OSU avatar if Oden stays (and OSU doesn't win championshp) and you can put up an ASU Avatar if he goes (I'll provide one if you can't find one and I'll borrow Sylvus' copy of OSU's)

Fair enough, but let me throw out some stipulations. He won't go if we get flat out embarrassed in the tournament, I think he will go if we win the championship or make a decent enough run at it (perhaps losing by 3 in final four or championship). Aside from that he is staying.

This is a guy who shows up to random frat parties that he can pull off of facebook in a fucking bathrobe. (true story) He is rumored to have over 800 dvd's in his dorm room (his parents have money i believe). And I have never seen him talk to a half way decent looking girl ever. He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith. He is probably the most humble guy I have really ever met. That and he is actually trying to get into the business school. I just don't see him leaving at all.

Post by **Sylvus** » February 27, 2007, 1:32 pm

I don't care how humble you are, first draft pick money and the endorsements (and associated money/noteriety) that come with it is enough to sway anyone. When is the last time a guy who was projected to be the #1 NBA draft pick from before the season even started (and remained so at the end of the season) didn't leave?

I'd say an injury is the only thing that will keep him in Scarlett and Gray next year.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » February 27, 2007, 1:49 pm

Joakim Noah was slated for first pick (or top 3, same as Oden) and stayed, AFTER a championship.

No matter when he comes out, he will have the same endorsements and draft spot. I don't think that will sway him, unless his parents are heading to bankruptcy or something.

I also think Conley Jr. will have an impact on what he says as well since they are childhood friends. Since his draft status isnt great unless he assrapes March Madnees, I think him staying will be a factor as well.

No matter though. Matta already signed a 7'2 player out of Canton for next year. Though having two 7 footers on the same team does make me feel funny down below.

Sueven · Post by **Sueven** » February 27, 2007, 2:36 pm

He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith.

You're a bigger sports fanboy than Winnow.

Post by **Sylvus** » February 27, 2007, 2:40 pm

Sueven wrote:
He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith.
You're a bigger sports fanboy than Winnow.

Them's strong words.

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » February 27, 2007, 2:41 pm

Sylvus wrote:
Sueven wrote:
He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith.
You're a bigger sports fanboy than Winnow.
Them's strong words.

Yeah, I think Sueven must have Winnow confused with someone else. I don't think he could possibly have that much fanboy in him!

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 27, 2007, 3:28 pm

Boogahz wrote:
Sylvus wrote:
Sueven wrote:
He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith.
You're a bigger sports fanboy than Winnow.
Them's strong words.
Yeah, I think Sueven must have Winnow confused with someone else. I don't think he could possibly have that much fanboy in him!

Who wants a Fanboy in them?

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » February 27, 2007, 4:39 pm

Sueven wrote:
He definately isn't your typical hot shot athlete like that fag Troy Smith.
You're a bigger sports fanboy than Winnow.

Yeah, I started a total of what, TWO whole threads about the college I go to that happens to be good at football (and now bball).

I guess I could have used Matt Leinart in that situation since he was banging all those celebs though.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » February 28, 2007, 10:24 am

A 26pt Whiping of the Twolves means #13

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 28, 2007, 12:23 pm

Cartalas wrote:A 26pt Whiping of the Twolves means #13

Phoenix was down to Indiana by 18 late in the third quarter and ended up winning the game by 11, 103-92. That means the Sixers tonight stand in the way of a perfect road non conference season...would be the first time in NBA history!

means W#5

Amare watch: 23pts, 18rbs, 2 stls, 1 blk

vs Dirk: 23 pts, 14rbs, 3 assts, 1 blk

Dirk's hanging in there vs the Suns's #2 guy!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 28, 2007, 7:15 pm

Nash article from Philly:

Nash on short list of MVP candidates

David Aldridge

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Feb. 27, 2007 07:30 PM

PHILADELPHIA - To watch Steve Nash with a basketball this season is to watch Leontyne Price at the Met, ready to perform "Aida" in the late 1970s; Pele with the soccer ball at his feet, ready to pounce for Brazil in the mid 60s; Harper Lee at her typewriter, circa 1959, a book about a girl named Scout and a man named Atticus in her head: virtuosos all, at the tops of their respective games.

Such is Nash, the NBA's two-time most valuable player, whether on the fastbreak, after a made basket, in a halfcourt set, whatever. The basketball is an extension of his hands and brain, the court a dizzying array of geometric possibilities.

He is the premier point guard in the NBA, and his Phoenix Suns, the highest-scoring team in the league, are in town Wednesday night to show the current 76ers squad what they aspire to be: entertaining, winning, title contending - while also helping to save professional basketball by showing fans what the game is at its essence: five playing as one.

"I don't know what to say about that," Nash said by telephone Monday, his team in the midst of an Eastern Conference road swing that went through Indiana last night. "I don't want to overdo it, but I think it's a great way to play, to read and react and not always think too much out there."

Nash, who turned 33 earlier this month, is once again on the short list for league MVP honors. Only three players in league history have won three straight MVP trophies: Bill Russell (1961-1963), Wilt Chamberlain (1966-1968), and Larry Bird (1984-1986).

And the Suns, at 43-13 before playing the Pacers, have the league's second-best record. They appear to be the only team capable of giving Dallas, at 47-9, a run for its money.

"I think we're having a better year," Nash said, referring to past Suns teams. "Potential-wise, we have more in the tank. We have more options. With Amare (Stoudemire) back and Kurt (Thomas) back and Leandro (Barbosa) out there, and everyone being a year older and a year wiser, I think it could be the best team I've ever been on."

Nash "senses that it's an opportunity," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said recently. "He feels like we have a legitimate shot. So he's on the guys to step it up another level. It's not OK just to give up a layup. It's not OK to have a lackluster performance."

Nash is holding up his end. With Stoudemire, an all-star center, close to regaining the search-and-destroy form he showed before a knee injury last year, Nash is again leading the league in assists (a career-best 11.9 per game) and is well on his way to leading the NBA in that category a third straight season.

Nash's 18.7 points per game is second to Stoudemire on the league's highest-scoring team. And Nash shoots a preposterous 47.8 percent from three-point range, second in the league to Miami's Jason Kapono.

So Nash bristled when he heard TNT's Charles Barkley, among others, recently say that the Suns needed to cut his minutes (he plays a little more than 35 a night) and find a suitable backup point guard because Nash broke down as the season wore on.

"I'm playing what any star player would be playing," Nash said. "I feel great. I want to play as much as I can for as long as I can. I don't want to save for when I'm retired. I averaged 22 and 11 in the playoffs the last two years (and played 40.3 minutes on average). I've raised my game the last two years. I don't know where that comes from."

He thinks that it's residual chatter coming from Dallas, where Mavericks owner Mark Cuban balked at matching the six-year, $66 million offer Phoenix made him in 2004 - in part, Cuban said later, because he didn't think Nash could stay healthy.

A shoulder injury earlier this month cost Nash four games, but no one has worked harder on his body the last few years. His workouts are the stuff of legend, with Nash spending hour upon hour doing various stretching and plyometric exercises to strengthen his core. That's allowed him to continue playing despite a chronic back condition - spondylolisthesis - that causes tightness when he comes off the court, requiring him to lie on the floor.

Even though Nash couldn't play in the All-Star Game because of his shoulder, he nonetheless rose for 7 a.m. conditioning sessions in Las Vegas with Suns trainer Aaron Nelson.

He's never been better, nor hungrier to finally win a title. Ironically, one of his best friends, former Mavericks teammate Dirk Nowitzki - a fellow MVP candidate - is probably his biggest obstacle to a title. They've gone their separate ways on the court as each of their games has evolved without the other.

"I think I would have still improved" had he stayed in Dallas, Nash said. "I worked my butt off that (2004) summer. The improvement would have come no matter what. I just wouldn't have been an MVP player because I would have been trying to get Dirk the ball and let him be the guy. But we may also have won one or two championships by now."

Here's another super in depth article about Nash. It breaks down last night's game in detail and explains why he's appreciated by those that enjoy the deeper aspects of the game:

Alright, so the guy's led the league in assists twice, made the All-NBA team twice, and been honored twice as the league's MVP. But what exactly is it that Steve Nash does?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/6514884

Here's the part on his defense:

It should also be noted that Nash's defense isn't quite as bad as previously advertised (particularly by me!). True, Armstrong rarely put an inordinate amount of pressure on Nash's defense — successfully taking him to the hoop only once on a S/R when the Suns failed to rotate properly. This left Nash free to roam in the middle where he was instrumental in:

Helping on ball penetrations.

Denying O'Neal the middle on several occasions and forcing him to spin.

Reading a give-and-go, then beating Troy Murphy to the paint and drawing a charge.

Directing his teammates (particularly Barbosa) to their assigned help-spots.

Scurrying around and under screens, and, in the third quarter, doing this so quickly that he suckered O'Neal into committing a moving screen.

Bumping cutters in the paint.

Rotating into Danny Granger's path and forcing a missed layup.

In the second quarter, Nash navigated his way through staggered weak-side screens quickly enough to deny a pass to Armstrong. In the third quarter, he repeated the process and this time came up with the steal. By contrast, when Barbosa was subjected to the same staggered screens he got caught in the traffic and was unable to challenge the subsequent wing pass.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » February 28, 2007, 11:22 pm

Christ

I guess that shows how valuable Marion is to the Suns.

Phoenix looked like shit. Nash went out for a bit in the first half with ankle issue.

Super ugly game for the Suns. Typical of this season, no reason they should lose to the Sixers even with Marion out.

Amare watch: 31 pts, 14 rbs

Post by **Sylvus** » March 1, 2007, 2:42 pm

So much for setting that record that no one has ever done.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 1, 2007, 2:46 pm

Sylvus wrote:So much for setting that record that no one has ever done.

Could still be a record! Obscure records FTW!

Gzette · Post by **Gzette** » March 2, 2007, 3:33 pm

Mavs win their 14th straight...tying a franchise record with a three point win over Cavs. Tim Cowlishaw put it right saying Mavs pull wins out where they should lose and don't lose any game that they should win. I'm hoping they can win 4 more just to 1 up the Suns there too. That would put them at 18 right before playing Phoenix at home, which is going to be ahuge statement game for Phoenix. I expect that game to be awesome and scary! They face the Lakers and the Warriors in the next 4. I'm not too worried about the Magic or the Heat.

Just a little perspective, if we erase the first 4 games from the season where the Mavs dropped four in a row we're looking at a 49-5 team instead of 49-9. Since their fifth game the Mavs have gone just under .900. Frikken impressive. With 24 games left they've got a possibility to break 70 wins. At ttheir current rate of losing we're talking 70-12 or 71-11. yowza!

Dirk for MVP? I dunno, but I don't think Nash can be crowned again. That's like saying he's Michael Jordan. He's awesome but, he is not Michael Jordan.

I still don't understand how we traded him and got better, suffice to say AVERY!

edit: my math sucks

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 2, 2007, 4:09 pm

Grats Mavs on 14th straight win. That's good for the third best win streak this season!

If the Mavs go undefeated all the way up until they play the Suns March 14th in Dallas, it will make the game even bigger. I hope both teams are healthy for that game. Marion is out again tonight as is Boris Diaw.

The Suns are the second best team behind Dallas. It comes down to health of the team now. I think the Suns will keep the 2nd seed with no problem so the important part is being ready for the playoffs.

I don't care if Dallas sweeps the Suns in the regular season, everyone knows the Suns can go nuts on offense and win any game. Unpredictability is too high right now for the Suns but that's been injuries with Nash out several games, then Diaw, and now Diaw and Marion. A healthy Suns only loses to Dallas in very close games (OT the first one this year).

If I was betting on a Dallas vs Phoenix series, I'd put money on the Suns to cover the spread but not necessarily win.

I want to see a classic on March 14th between Dallas and Phoenix. I hope it turns out that way and doesn't get turned into a game controlled by fouls and refs.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » March 2, 2007, 6:29 pm

Here is a nice story on Dirk as the clear cut favorite for MVP

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/w ... index.html

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 2, 2007, 7:09 pm

Cartalas wrote:Here is a nice story on Dirk as the clear cut favorite for MVP

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/w ... index.html

Heh, nice picture of Dirk too!

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 5, 2007, 12:37 pm

Anyone besides me see this dunk of Amare's vs Atlanta last week? It was one of the best of the year. A still picture doesn't do it justice. Amare took off just after the free throw line and used the Statue of Liberty dunk pose. Both Atlanta defenders weren't set but Smith went sprawling back trying to draw a charge which made the dunk all that more impressive with Atlanta bodies rolling around on the ground int he aftermath.

Smith came back soon after for an awesome dunk of his own.

This is just a nice picture to show Amare's leaping ability is back.

The Suns/Lakers game was so so on Sunday. Marion is still nursing some injuries and Diaw missed his eight straight game. In the end, the Lakers fell to 13 games back so it was a good day.

Cartalas · Post by **Cartalas** » March 7, 2007, 8:45 am

51-9 This is amazing ,Gratz Mavs on clinching a playoff spot with 22 games left. In less then 2 weekd they will clinch the #1 spot.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 7, 2007, 12:38 pm

Impressive run for the Mavs. I don't think they'll have any trouble tying the Suns wins streak of 17 and probably no trouble remaining undefeated going in to:

Wed March 14th, Phoenix @ Dallas 9:00 PM ESPN

Amazing what Dallas, Phoenix and the Spurs have done lately.

Dallas 16 wins
Spurs 10 wins
Phoenix 7-1 since Nash returned

Phoenix is the only hope for all humanity to stop the Texans!

Post by **Sylvus** » March 7, 2007, 12:40 pm

Winnow wrote:Amazing what Dallas, Phoenix and the Spurs have done lately.

Dallas 16 wins
Spurs 10 wins
Phoenix 7-1 since Nash returned

lol, way to qualify it!

16 in a row and "7-1 since Nash returned" do not belong in the same breath together.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 7, 2007, 12:56 pm

Sylvus wrote:
Winnow wrote:Amazing what Dallas, Phoenix and the Spurs have done lately.

Dallas 16 wins
Spurs 10 wins
Phoenix 7-1 since Nash returned
lol, way to qualify it!

16 in a row and "7-1 since Nash returned" do not belong in the same breath together.

Phoenix still has longest win streak (and third longest) this season at 17 (and 15) until Dallas tops it! Should I stick with that for now? : )

Qualifying it with Nash is important because the Suns are like 2-100 without him this year. Our winning streaks went out the door with Nash's injury...losing a 2 X defending MVP probably is worth mentioning!

It'd be the same if Dirk went down.

I could refer to Dallas with 51 wins and Phoenix with 46 (13.5 gm lead in division) and then some team leading the East with a whopping 37 wins (would be good for fifth in the West).

I was just saying the three teams, Dallas, Phoenix and Spurs (due to their recent win streak) are rocking right now.

Zamtuk · Post by **Zamtuk** » March 7, 2007, 1:15 pm

No. You are trying to lump an MVP conversation into a win streak conversation. It seems whenever the Suns don't have the top spot, you must point something out that is totally irrelevant to make the Suns look good.

Winnow · Post by **Winnow** » March 7, 2007, 1:32 pm

Zamtuk wrote:No. You are trying to lump an MVP conversation into a win streak conversation. It seems whenever the Suns don't have the top spot, you must point something out that is totally irrelevant to make the Suns look good.

That goes without saying.

I do rag on the Suns on occasion but I'm an admitted fanboy. Cart knows I give Dallas props.

Record wise, there's Dallas ahead of Phoenix, both ahead of everyone else, then comes Utah and San Antonio. Of those two, San Antonio has the win streak and which is why I mentioned all three teams in the "hot teams" comment. Also, in point differential, no other team comes close to those three.

Dallas 8.2
San Antonio 8.6
Phoenix 7.8

Next team: Chicago 4.6 (my pre-season vote for most improved this season)

Boogahz · Post by **Boogahz** » March 7, 2007, 2:29 pm

Zamtuk wrote:No. You are trying to lump an MVP conversation into a win streak conversation. It seems whenever the Suns don't have the top spot, you must point something out that is totally irrelevant to make the Suns look good.

Are you referring to how the thread got NO love when they weren't winning?